Method and apparatus for processing granular and other materials

ABSTRACT

A method of malting including the use of apparatus comprising a cylindrical drum mounted with its axis substantially horizontal and being rotatable about that axis, and which is divided longitudinally by a perforated floor member into a grain compartment and a fluid compartment. The process involves steeping, germination and drying of the grain, and each of those stages is performed with the grain contained within the drum. In the steeping stage the drum is rotated so that liquid can mix with grain in the grain compartment, and when the drum is held stationary with grain supported on the perforated floor, excess liquid drains into the fluid compartment. In the germinating and drying stages, the drum is held stationary at least part of the time with the grain supported on the perforated floor member, and a stream of air is caused to flow upwardly through the floor member and the bed of grain. Air entering the space above the bed of grain in both the germinating and drying stages is extracted from the drum, and in the germination stage at least some of that extracted air may be recirculated to the fluid compartment of the drum. The air stream may be humidified in the germinating stage before entering the drum, and is heated before entering the drum in the drying stage.

United States Patent [191 Colclough I METHOD AND APPARATUS FORPROCESSING GRANULAR AND OTHER MATERIALS [75] Inventor: Graham RichardColclough,

Balwyn, Australia [73] Assignee: Phildon Engineering Co. Pty. Ltd.,

Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia [22] Filed: Oct. 2, 1972 [21] Appl No.:293,798

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 5, 1971 Australia 6571/71[52] US. Cl 195/131, 195/71, 34/130 [51] Int. Cl C12c 1/14, C12b 1/00[58] Field of Search 195/128-131,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,202,536 5/1940 Peterman195/131 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 648,711 1/1951 Great Britain195/131 Primary ExaminerLionel M. Shapiro Attorney, Agent, orFirmLawrence I. Lerner 1 Dec. 10, 1974 ABSTRACT A method of maltingincluding the use of apparatus comprising a cylindrical drum mountedwith its axis substantially horizontal and being rotatable about thataxis, and which is divided longitudinally by a perforated floor memberinto a grain compartment and a fluid compartment. The process involvessteeping, germination and drying of the grain, and each of those stagesis performed with the grain contained within the drum. In the steepingstage the drum is rotated so that liquid can mix with grain in the graincompartment, and when the drum is held stationary with grain supportedon the perforated floor, excess liquid drains into the fluidcompartment. In the germinating and drying stages, the drum is heldstationary at least part of the time with the grain supported on theperforated floor member, and a stream of air is caused to flow upwardlythrough the floor member and the bed of grain. Air entering the spaceabove the bed of grain in both the germinating and drying stages isextracted from the drum, and in the germination stage at least some ofthat extracted air may be recirculated to the fluid compartment of thedrum. The air stream may be humidified in the germinating stage beforeentering the drum, and is heated before entering the drum in the dryingstage.

10 Claims, '9 Drawing Figures PATENTEU BEE I DISH SHEET 10F 4llllllllllllllllIHIHHIIH Hlllllllll A PATENTED DEC 1 0 I974 SHEET 2 OF 4PATENTEU I @1974 3,853,713

SHEET 30F 4 PATENTEU 81C 1 01974 SHEET 4 0F 4 METHOD AND APPARATUS FORPROCESSING GRANULAR AND OTHER MATERIALS This invention relates to amethod and apparatus for processing materials, and as that method andapparatus are ideally suited for processing granular materials such asbarley, it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention inrelation to a malting process. It is to be appreciated however, that theinvention is not restricted to the example application and granularmaterials as hereinafter particularly described.

Malting involves three principal stages steeping, during which the grainis soaked in a liquid (usually wa ter) for a predetermined period oftime; gemination, during which the grain is permitted to grow in acontrolled environment; and drying whereby the germination process isterminated. It has been common practice to carry out each stage indifferent vessels or containers, thereby making the process somewhatcomplicated and time-consuming.

One conventional malting process involves the use of so-called Saladinboxes which can be adapted for use in both the steeping and germinationstages. Drying however, is carried out in kilns separate from theSaladin boxes, and it is usual to connect several Saladin boxes to asingle kiln. For economy reasons it is necessary to make continual useof the kiln in such a multiple connection plant, so that it should beconnected to one box immediately after it is disconnected from another.Such a requirement imposes strict time limits on each stage of themalting process, thereby making it extremely difficult to obtain bestresults with all of the batches processed by that kiln. That is, theprocess is not so flexible as to allow adjustment of times as might beconsidered necessary by the malster having regard to variations in grainquality and form.

Because of the problems involved in the foregoing type of process,attempts have been made to devise apparatus which permits the threemalting stages to be carried out in a single vessel. One such apparatusis disclosed in Australian patent specification No. 295,891 and involvesa cylindrical vessel which is rotatable about a vertical axis, but thatapparatus is relatively complex and does not permit adequate control ofthe various stages of the process. A further proposal has been to mountthe cylindrical processing vessel for rotation about a horizontal axis,and such a construction is disclosed in US. Pat, No. 3,098,797 in thename of Grafi'. The Graff apparatus permits some flexibility in theprocessing, but the cylindrical vessel is of extremely complexconstruction.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improvedprocess, and particularly a malting process, which is flexible and doesnot require the provision of several separate vessels or containers forcarrying out the principal steps of steeping, germination and drying. Itis a further object of the invention to provide relatively simpleapparatus for carrying out that improved process.

According to the present invention the grain is processed within a drumor like container mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontalaxis, and the grain remains within that drum during each of the threeprincipal stages previously mentioned. The drum is dividedlongitudinally by a perforated floor member so as to define a graincompartment and a fluid compartment on respective sides of that floormember. In a basic form of the process, a batch of grain is fed into thegrain compartment so as to be fairly evenly spread along its length, anda suitable quantity of steeping liquid is also fed into the drum eitherduring or after feeding of the grain. Rotation of the drum then causesthe liquid and the grain to mix so as to achieve the desired steepingeffect.

After steeping, the grain within the drum is subjected to an environmentwhich is such as to cause the grain to germinate, and that involvesholding the drum stationary with the grain supported on the perforatedfloor member and inducing air to flow upwardly from'the fluidcompartment through the perforated floor member and the bed of grainsupported thereon. It is generally necessary to humidify the air beforepassing it through the bed of grain, and it may be desirable tooccasionally rotate the drum during the germination stage so as toachieve substantially uniform germination.

Drying of the germinated grain is then effected by circulating air at asuitable temperature through the drum. The heated air is induced to passfrom the fluid compartment into and through the bed of grain supportedon the floor member and is extracted from the space within the graincompartment above the bed of gram. 7

Other steps and features of the method will becom apparent from aconsideration of the following description of a preferred apparatusaccording to this invention. It is to be appreciated however, that eachstep or feature of the method as subsequently described is notrestricted to the particular apparatus with which it may be related asthe two aspects of the invention method and apparatus are hereinafterdescribed sumultaneously purely as a matter of convenience and notbecause particular features of one aspect are strictly dependent uponparticular features of the other aspect.

The particular apparatus hereinafter described is preferred only, andmaybe modified in numerous ways without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. It will be therefore understood that thefollowing description includes reference to both essential andnon-essential features, and the former are identified by the appendedclaims.

In the drawings, which are diagrammatic only:

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of one form of apparatus in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, taken in thedirection of arrow A;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cylindrical drumtaken along line IIIIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional -view of the drum taken alongline IVIV of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmenary sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 4; a

FIG. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the grainfeed end of the drum, and taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the air feedend of the drum, and that view is taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIIIof FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 8.

In the preferred form of the apparatus shown, the drum or treatmentvessel 2 comprises an elongated cylinder having a plurality ofcircumferential bearing rings or bands 3 located around its outsidesurface and engaging rollers 4 or other appropriate bearing supportssuch as to allow rotation of the drum 2 about its axis (see FIGS. 2 and3). Any suitable drive means may be employed to effect rotation of thedrum 2, such as a ring gear 5 secured about one end portion of the drum2 and operatively connected to a drive motor (not shown), and either thedrive motor or the drive connection is preferably reversible for areason hereinafter made clear. The interior of the drum 2, or at least aprincipal part thereof, is divided longitudinally into a graincompartment 6 and a fluid compartment 7 as shown in FIG. 3, and thedivision between those compartments is formed by a perforated floor orplate-like member 8. The grain compartment 6 is generally considerablylarger than the fluid compartment 7 so that the floor 8 is spacedradially from the axis of the drum 2 as shown.

Preferably, at least the cylindrical wall of the drum 2 is insulated toassist in maintaining a controlled environment within the drum 2 duringthe germination stage.

Grain inlet or feed means is provided through a wall of the drum 2, andin the preferred form shown most clearly in FIG. 6, that means includesa conveyor tube 9 protruding through an end wall 1 1 of the drum 2, andcontaining a helical screw conveyor device 12. The tube 9 is heldagainst rotation with the drum 2, and the screw device 12 is arrangedfor rotation within the tube 9. The screw device 12 is drivablyconnected to a drive motor 13 in any appropriate fashion, and either themotor 13 or the drive connection is preferably reversible so that thescrew device 12 can be used both for grain introduction and extraction.Grain is introduced in the tube 9 through a feed opening 14 andconnected feed duct 15 which may extend from a grain hopper (not shown)or any other suitable supply source. Rotation of the screw device 12 ina forward direction will cause grain within the tube 9 to be urgedtowards the grain compartment 6.

Grain may be discharged from the tube 9 through a simple openingprovided in a wall portion of the tube 9 located within the graincompartment 6, but in the particular arrangement shown in the drawingsan impeller 16 is drivably connected to the inner end of the screwdevice 12, and that impeller is operative to propel grain laterallythrough an opening 17 provided in its surrounding casing 18 (see FIG.4). Such an arrangement permits a relatively deep bed of grain to belaid on the perforated floor 8. A pneumatically operated closure flap 50is associated with the opening 17 so as to enable that opening to beclosed or opened as desired.

It is preferred to provide a grain transfer chamber 19 at the end of thedrum 2 containing the conveyor tube 9, so that a controlled environmentcan be maintained within the drum 2, and particularly the graincompartment 6. In the arrangement shown, the chamber 19 is definedbetween the end wall 11 of the drum 2 and a substantially parallel andadjacent internal wall 21 which in effect forms one end of the grain andfluid compartments 6 and 7. Grain can be transferred between the tube 9and the chamber 19 through an opening 22 in the cylindrical wall of thetube 9 and disposed intermediate the walls 11 and 21. At least one doorcontrolled opening 23 is provided through the internal wall 2i toprovide a connection between the chamber 19 and the grain compartment 6,and the door 24 (see FIG. 6) of opening(s) 23 is pneumatically orotherwise controlled for movement between open and closed positions.Preferably, the door control means is interlocked with the drum drivemeans so that there is little or no danger of door(s) 24 being left openat inappropriate times, and particularly during the germination anddrying stages. Any suitable rotary seal 25 is provided between each wallll and 21 and the conveyor tube 9.

Grain spreading or distributing means is preferably provided within thedrum 2, and may include angularly disposed vanes or flights secured tothe drum wall and- /or the perforated floor. It is usually foundsatisfactory to simply provide flights 26 on that surface of theperforated floor 8 forming the base of the grain compartment 6, as isshown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings. The flights 26 are angularlyarranged as best shown in FIG. 5, to cause grain within the graincompartment 6 to move axially of the drum 2 away from the wall 21, whenthe drum is rotated in a forward direction. In practice, the flights 26generally lose their effect as grain distributing means after they havebeen covered by grain, but they are nevertheless useful for spreadinggrain at the beginning of the feed operation and assisting in removingmaterial at the end of the discharge operation.

In the particular form of the apparauts shown in the drawings, inlet andoutlet air ducts, 27 and 28 respectively, are connectable to the end ofthe drum 2 remote from the feed conveyor, so that air may be fed intoand removed from that end during the germination stage and/or the dryingstage. As shown in FIG. 7, the inlet and outlet ducts 27 and 28 areconnectable to the end wall 29 of the drum 2 through respective tubularsealing members 31 which will be hereinafter described in detail, and apair of air transfer chambers 32 and 33 are provided within the adjacentend of the drum 2 for connection to the inlet and outlet ductsrespectively. The outlet air transfer chamber 33 is defined between theend wall 29 of the drum 2 and a substantially parallel adjacent internalwall 34 which forms the adjacent end of the grain compartment 6, and afurther wall 35 extending between the walls 29 and 34 separates the twoair transfer chambers 32 and 33. The fluid compartment 7 communicateswith the chamber 32 through at least one opening 20 which can be closedby a pneumatically or otherwise operated door 30, as shown in FIG. 7.

The air outlet chamber 33 communicates with the grain compartment 6through at least one door controlled opening 36 in the end wall 34 ofthat compart ment. Opening and closing movement of door(s) 37 ispneumatically controlled through a piston-cylinder as sembly 40,although other control means could be used, and that assembly ispreferably interlocked with the drum drive means so as to ensure thatdoor(s) 37 is not left open at inappropriate times. The control meansfor door 30 can be interlocked in the same way.

The connection between the ducts 27 and 28 and the drum 2 could beeffected in any suitable manner such as through an appropriate rotaryand substantially fluid-tight gland, but it is preferred that theconnection is effected through a releasable seal assembly asparticularly shown in FIG. 7, which can be disconnected from the drum 2when the drum is to be rotated. Each tubular member 31 of that assemblyis connected to the adjacent end of its respective duct 27 or 28 througha flexible coupling 38 and has a resilient sealing lip 39 attached toits end adjacent the drum wall 29. A pneumatically operatedpiston-cylinder assembly 41 is connected between each member 31 and itsrespective duct 27 or 28 (or support for same) so as to move that member31 into and out of sealing engagement with the drum wall 29. The twomembers 31 are arranged to respectively seal around inlet and outletopenings 42 and 43 formed through the wall 29, and those openings may beof any suitable shape.

If necessary, suitable guide means (not shown) may be associated witheach sealing member 31 so as to guide those members along an appropriatepath of movement. Also, the members 31 may be interconnected forsimultaneous movement, in which case a single piston-cylinder assembly41 may be suitable for operating both members. It is generally preferredto have the two members 31 moving together between their sealing andnon-sealing positions, but for convenience of illustration FIG. 7 showsthe member 31 associated with the inlet duct 27 in the non-sealingposition, and with the other member 31 in its sealing position aroundthe outlet opening 43.

Water and air conduits 44 and 45 respectively enter the drum 2 throughthe center of the end wall 29, and those conduits are coupled to arotary gland 46 of any suitable known construction to permit them torotate with the drum 2 relative to associated fixed water and airconduit sections 47 and 48. The conduit 45 is connected to thepiston-cylinder assembly 40, and possible other pneumatically operatedassemblies within the drum 2. An extractor pump (not shown) isconnectable to the conduit 47 so as to permit rapid removal of liquidfrom the tank 2.

It is preferred that the main sections of the air ducts are locatedalongside the drum 2 as shown in FIG 1, because that arrangementconserves space, but the ducts can be in line with the drum 2 orarranged in any other way as desired. According to the particularembodiment shown in the drawings (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 8) the inlet duct27 extends alongside the drum 2, the outlet duct 28 communicates with anexhaust stack 49, and a recirculating duct 51 extends between the inletand outlet ducts 27 and 28.

Air may be force-fed through the drum 2 by a blower unit connected tothe inlet duct 27, and/or an exhaust fan connected to the outlet duct28, but the former is preferred and is shown in the drawings (see FIG.8). The blower unit 52 is conveniently located within the inlet duct 27,and is of the centrifugal type, although an axial type fan can be usedif desired. An intake duct section 53 is connected to the intake side ofthe blower unit 52 as shown in FIG. 8, and that section is connectablewith a furnace or other heating unit 54 so that the air passingtherethrough may be heated during the drying stage. Means (not shown) ispreferably provided to close communication between the duct section 53and the heating unit 54 when desired, although the heating unit 54 isnot usually fired during the germination stage. Adjustable louvres 55 orother valve means is provided over the entrance to the duct section 53,and that valve means can be operated manually or through remote controlmeans as desired.

The louvre valve enables the air flow through duct section 53 to beregulated according to requirements. For example, the valve 55 may bepartially or fully closed during the germination stage, and fully openedto give maximum flow during the kilning stage.

The heating unit 54 may be of any suitable form, but in the embodimentshown in FIG. 8 includes an oil burner 56, combustion chamber 57, andfire box 58. An appropriate heat exchanger 59 is provided in the ductsection 53.

In the preferred construction shown, the blower unit 52 includes twocentrifugal fans 61 located side by side (see FIG. 1) and both connectedinto the inlet duct 27. This allows greater flexibility of the apparatusso that, if desired, one fan 61 may be used during the germination stageand both may be used during the kilning stage. Generation of highpressure during the kilning stage has the advantage of facilitatingpercolation of the heated air through the thick bed of material in thedrum 2.

Valve means (not shown) such as adjustable louvres may be provided overthe outlet of the fan 61 not normally used during the germination stage,so enabling that outlet to be closed or partially opened when and ifdesired.

Moisture introduction means, such as sprays or an air washer, may beprovided in the inlet duct 27 for use during the germination stage so asto enable a desired humidified environment to be maintained within thedrum 2. It is preferred however, to recirculate air from the outlet duct28 back to the inlet duct 27 during the germination stage, and in thatcase the moisture introduction means is located within the recirculationduct 51 as shown in the drawings. Location of the moisture introductionmeans, which is shown as sprays 62, within the duct 51 has the advantageof minimising resistance to air flow through the inlet duct 27particularly during the kilning stage when it is generally'desired toobtain maximum air flow at high pressure. The outlet duct 28 isconnectable to atmosphere through a louvre or other control valve 63(see FIG. 2) which is closed during'recirculation as aforementioned,and-a further control valve 64 (louvre or otherwise) is located betweenthe outlet duct 28 and recirculation duct 51. The valve 64 is of courseclosed when it is desired to connect the outlet duct 28 to atmosphere,and is opened during recirculation.

An extractor unit 65 is located between the sprays 62 and the entranceto the fans 61, so as to remove large droplets of moisture from the airstream drawn towards the fans 61. The unit 65 may be of any knownconstruction, and may define a series of tortuous passages 66, as shownin FIG. 9. At least one door or valve controlled inlet opening 67 isprovided in the recirculation duct 53, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, andthe door 68 of that opening canbe controlled through pneumatic or othermeans.

A reservoir (not shown) for water or other steeping liquid may beprovided in any convenient manner and connected to the drum 2 asdesired. An extraction pump (previously mentioned) is arranged to enablerelatively rapid withdrawal of the liquid from the drum 2 aftercompletion of the germination stage, and appropriate level control meanscan be provided to ensure that a predetermined level of liquid ismaintained during the germination stage and/or the steeping stage. Astorage tank (not shown) for gibberalic acid, bromate,

or any other additive may be also connected to the drum 2.

Having now described the principal component parts of a preferredpractical embodiment of the apparatus, the operation thereof is asfollows.

Grain is fed into the drum 2 through the inlet tube 9 in response torotation of the screw device 12 and associated impeller 16, and the drum2 is also rotated in the forward direction during at least part of thatfeeding operation. At this time the air sealing members 31 at the otherend of the drum 2 are disconnected from the drum 2 as shown in the lowerpart of FIG. '7. As the grain enters the grain compartment 6, it iscaused to spread therealong by the action of the vanes or flights 26during forward rotation of the drum 2. Steeping liquid may be pumpedinto the drum 2 during or after completion of the grain feedingoperation, and that liquid is preferably maintained at a predeterminedlevel throughout the steeping process. The drum 2 is rotated during thesteeping process so that liquid passes through the perforated floor 8 ofthe grain compart ment 6 and is mixed with and absorbed by the grain.The doors 24 and 37 at each end of the grain compartment 6 are closedduring this stage of the process, and the or each door 30 is also closedto prevent liquid passing out through the inlet opening 42.

Rotation of the drum 2 may be stopped occasionally during the steepingstage so as to allow the grain an opportunity to obsorb steeping liquid.It may be also desirable to periodically reverse the direction of thedrum rotation so as to obtain uniform mixing of the grain and liquid.Additives such as gibberalic acid and bromate can be introduced into thedrum 2 at any convenient time during the germination operation.

At completion of the steeping stage, rotation of the drum 2 is stoppedand the drum 2 is located with the grain compartment floor 8substantially horizontal with the grain compartment 6 above the fluidcompartment 7 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 7. All excess liquid iswithdrawn from the drum 2, and under some circumstances it may bedesired to introduce a fresh body of liquid into the drum 2 for useduring the germination stage, but that is not absolutely necessary. Iffresh liquid is added, the level of liquid within the fluid compartment7 during the germination stage may or may not be the same as thatexisting during the steeping stage, but in any event the level is suchthat an air space remains between the liquid and the perforated floor 8of the grain compartment 6.

The seal members 31 are moved into their sealing positions around theirrespective openings 42 and 43 as is shown in the top portion of FIG. 7,and the doors 30 and 37 are opened to provide communication between thecompartments 6 and 7 and their respective associated air ducts 28 and27. Assuming that the air to be used during the germination stagerequires to be humidified before entering the drum 2, the louvre member55 is closed and the air access door 68 is opened. Also, ifrecirculation of air is required, the stack valve 63 is closed and therecirculation valve 64 is at least partially opened. The degree ofopening of valve 64 would be detennined by the desired relativeproportions of fresh and recirculated air, and the degree of opening ofdoor 68 would also have some affect on that aspect.

One or both of the fans 61 may be operated during the germination stage,and the sprays 62 are operated to add moisture to the air stream ifrequired. Initially, air is drawn through the access opening 67 towardsthe inlet of the fans 61, and that air stream passes through the sprays62 and the extractor 65, which removes excessively large droplets ofwater from the air stream. The air drawn through the fans 61 is thenpushed through the duct 27 into the chamber 32 of the drum 2, and fromthere it passes through the opening 20 into the fluid compartment 7. Theair within compartment 7 is subjected to such pressure that it passesupwardly through the floor 8 and the bed of grain supported on thatfloor and is then subsequently withdrawn from the space above the bed ofgrain through the openings 36 and 43. If the recirculation valve 64 isopen, air withdrawn into the duct 28 is returned to the sprays 62 andfans 61 through the duct 51.

It is preferred that the air rising off the grain during the germinationstage has a temperature within the range 68 to 70F. inclusive, and ifthe air entering the duct 27 is not at a sufficiently low ambienttemperature to achieve that off-grain temperature, means may be providedto cool that air before it enters the drum 2. For example, a single ormultiple state refrigeration system may be connected to the inlet duct27, or the recirculation duct 51, and could be incorporated with themoisture introduction means 62.

If desired, the outlet duct 28 may communicate with atmosphere duringrecirculation, if recirculation is employed during the germinationstage. That is, the atmosphere control valve 63 may be openedapproximately 10 percent of its range from fully closed to fully opened.

It may be desirable to periodically rotate the drum 2 during thegermination stage, and in that case the rotation is preferablyalternately forward and reverse. Such rotation can have the advantage ofensuring substan' tially even germination throughout the bed of grain.Normally, a single revolution is all that is required each time the drum2 is rotated, and the time between rotations will depend on the type ofgrain being treated and other circumstances of the processing. It is ofcourse necessary to move the sealing members 31 into their non-sealingpositions each time it is required to rotate the drum 2. The doors 24and flap 50 are closed during the germination stage to ensure adequatecontrol of the environment within the grain compartment 6.

After germination, all liquid is extracted from the drum 2 and the inletduct 27 is connected to the heating unit 54, which in the embodimentdescribed, is an oil fired furnace. Preferably, the moisture content ofthe grain at the end of the germination stage is approximately 41 to 43percent, depending upon the type of grain and the end product to beachieved, and after drying the moisture content is preferably 2.6 to 4percent.

The heating unit 54 may be operated so that the temperature of the airwithin the drum 2 is within the range to F. inclusive. During drying,the sealing members are connected to the drum 2 and the various doorswithin the drum 2 are arranged as in the germination stage. The ductvalves however, are rearranged, and in particular the louvres 55 areopen, the door 68 is closed, and the valves 63 and 64 are open andclosed respectively. Nevertheless, the door 68 may be opened if the airentering the fans 61 direct from the heating unit 54 is at anexcessively high temperature, Also, the valves 63 and 64 may be adjustedto permit some recirculation through duct 51 if desired. The drum 2 maybe rotated peroidically to assist in even drying, but such rotation isgenerally required less frequent than in the germination stage.

In order to assist in obtaining substantially even drying along thelength of the bed of grain, baffles (not shown) may be provided so as toextend downwards from the underside of the perforated floor 8.Preferably, each bafile or group of baffles projects a differentdistance into the fluid compartment 7 according to its axialdisplacement from the air inlet chamber 32, so that an appropriatevolume of air is directed into those regions which might otherwiseexperience relatively slow drying.

When drying has been effected, the sealing members 31 are moved intotheir non-sealing positions, and the doors 30 and 37 are closed. Doors24 are opened to place the grain transfer chamber 19 in communicationwith the grain compartment 6, and the drum 2 is then rotated in thereverse direction. The flights 26 within the grain compartment 6 thenfunction to push the grain towards the grain transfer chamber 19, whichreceives the grain through openings 23, and from there it passes intothe feed tube 9 to an outlet opening 69 of that tube. Lifter plates 71provided around the inside surface of the chamber l9serve to directgrain into the opening 22 of the feed tube 9, and the screw device 12 isrotated in the reverse direction to function as a discharge conveyorrather than as a feed conveyor so that grain is discharged throughopening 69.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that the presentinvention provides a relatively simple method and apparatus for treatinggrain, and particularly for carrying out a malting process. As allstages of the malting process are carried out in a single container, theinvention allows for greater flexibility and economy. The apparatus maybe used in other processes however, such as in the manufacture of ginand whiskey.

One particular advantage of the apparatus described is that the drum isabove ambient temperature at the completion of a malting process,because of the passage of heated air in the grain drying stage which isthe final stage of the actual processing. Consequently, the next batchof grain to be introduced into the drum will enter an environmentadapted to accelerate germination, provided of course that the apparatusis not left idle for an excessive period of time.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modificationsand/or additions may be introduced into the constructions andarrangements of parts previously described without departing from thespirit orambit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. Grain treating apparatus including: a cylindrical drum located withits axis substantially horizontal and being mounted for rotation aboutthat axis, said drum having a first end and a second end; a perforatedfloor member extending the length of at least a portion of said drum anddividing said portion into a grain compartment and a fluid compartment;an end wall at said first end of said drum; an intransverse walladjacent said first end of said drum defining a grain transfer chamberbetween said end wall and said internal transverse wall; conveyor meansextending through'said end wall and said internal transverse wall; drivemeans connected to said conveyor means and operable to move saidconveyor means in either a grain feeding or a grain dischargingdirection; a feed opening associated with said grain compartment wherebygrain is fed to said grain compartment from said conveyor means duringmovement thereof in said grain feeding direction; a controllable openingin said transverse wall section whereby grain is passed to said conveyormeans through said grain transfer compartment during movement of saidconveyor means and said grain discharge direction; separate air inletand outlet openings associated with said second end of said drum,located remote from said grain transfer member; inlet duct means andoutlet duct means connectable to said inlet and outlet openingsrespectively; and means for connecting said inlet and outlet openingswith said fluid and grain compartments respectively.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein second internal transversewall means is provided in said drum adjacent said second end to preventdirect communication between said air inlet opening and said graincompartment and to define an air transfer chamber between said outletopening and said grain compartment, and including valve means in saidwall means to permit selective communication between said air transferchamber and said grain compartment.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said inlet and outlet ductmeans are connectable so that air withdrawn from said grain compartmentcan be recirculated into said fluid compartment.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said conveyor means includes aconveyor tube extending through said first end wall of the drum and heldagainst rotation with said drum, a helical screw conveyor elementrotatably mounted within said tube and connectable to said drive means,an external feed opening in said tube through which grain can beintroduced into said tube for influence by said screw conveyor element,and a further opening in said tube within said grain compartment throughwhich grain is fed to said grain compartment.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said further opening is alateral opening in an end portion of said tube which defines an impellercasing, and an impeller is rotatably mounted within said casing and isdrivably connected to said screw element for rotation therewith, thearrangement being such that said screw element is operative to urgegrain into said casing and said impeller is operative to throw thatgrain outwardly through said lateral opening.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein fan means are provided withinthe said inlet duct means and are operative to cause air to flow throughsaid duct means toward said air inlet opening; an air intake ductsection connected to the intake side of said fan means and including acontrol valve which is operative to open and close said duct section; arecirculating duct section extending between said intake side of saidfan means and said outlet duct means; and a recirculating valve providedfor opening and closing communication between said outlet duct means andsaid recirculating duct section.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein humidifying means is providedin said recirculating duct section between said recirculating valve andsaid intake side of the fan means, and a controllable opening isprovided to engage said end wall to form a substantially fluidtight sealaround the respective said opening.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein vane means are providedwithin said grain compartment and are arranged to urge grain lengthwisein respect to said drum in response to rotation of said drum.

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Pate t 5, 53,715Dated December- 10, 197A InVentor(s) Graham Richard Colclough It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 8, line 25, "state" should read stage Signed and sealed this 4thday of February 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents USCOMM-DC I 60376-P69 FORM PO-1050 (10-69) u.sI covsmmzm "mumsomcz:

1. GRAIN TREATING APPARATUS INCLUDING: A CYLINDRICAL DRUM LOCATED WITHITS AXIS SUBSTATIALLY HORIZONTAL AND BEING MOUNTED FOR ROTATION ABOUTTHAT AXIS, SAID DRUM HAVING A FIRST END AND A SECOND END; A PERFORATEDFLOOR MEMBER EXTENDING THE LENGTH OF AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID DRUM ANDDIVIDING SAID PORTION INTO A GRAIN COMPARTMENT AND A FLUID COMPARTMENT;AN END WALL AT SAID FRIST END OF SAID DRUM DEFINING A GRAIN TRANSFERADJACENT SAID FIIRST END OF SAID DRUM DEFINING A GRAIN TRANSFER CHAMBERBETWEEN SAID END WALL AND SAID INTERNAL TRANSVERSE WALL; CONVEYOR MEANSEXTENDING THROUGH SAID END WALL AND SAID INTERNAL TRANSVERSE WALL; DRIVEMEANS CONNECTED TO SAID FCONVEYOR MEANS AND OPERABLE TO MOVE SAIDCONVEYOR MEANS IN EITHER A GRAIN FEEDING OR A GRAIN DISCHARGINGDIRECTION; A FEED OPENING ASSOCIATED WITTH SAID GRAIN COMPARTMENTWHEREBY GRAIN IS FED TO SAID GRAIN COMPARTMENT FROM SAID CONVEYOR MEANSDURING MOVEMENT THEREOF IN SAID GRAIN FEEDING DIRECTION; A CONTROLLABLEOPENING IN SAID TRANSVERSE WALL SECTION WHEREBY GRAIN IS PASSED TO SAIDCONVEYOR MEANS THROUGH SAID GRAIN TRANSFER COMPARTMENT DURING MOVEMENTOF SAID CONVEYOR MEANS AND SAID GRAIN DISCHARGE DIRECTION; SE INLET ANDOUTLET OPENIGS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID SECOND END OF SAID DRUM, LOCATEDREMOTE FROM SAID GRAIN TRANSFER MEMBER; INLET DUCT MEANS AND OUTLET DUCTMEANS CONNECTABLE TO SAID ILET AND OUTLET OPENINGS RESPECTIVELY; ANDMEANS FOR CONNECTING SAID INLET AND OUTLET OPENINGS WITH SAID FLUID ANDGRAIN COMPARTMENTS RESPECTIVELY.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1,wherein second internal transverse wall means is provided in said drumadjacent said second end to prevent direct communication between saidair inlet opening and said grain compartment and to define an airtransfer chamber between said outlet opening and said grain compartment,and including valve means in said wall means to permit selectivecommunication between said air transfer chamber and said graincompartment.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said inlet andoutlet duct means are connectable so that air withdrawn from said graincompartment can be recirculated into said fluid compartment. 4.Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said conveyor means includes aconveyor tube extending through said first end wall of the drum and heldagainst rotation with said drum, a helical screw conveyor elementrotatably mounted within said tube and connectable to said drive means,an external feed opening in said tube through which grain can beintroduced into said tube for influence by said screw conveyor element,and a further opening in said tube within said grain compartment throughwhich grain is fed to said grain compartment.
 5. Apparatus according toclaim 4, wherein said further opening is a lateral opening in an endportion of said tube which defines an impeller casing, and an impelleris rotatably mounted within said casing and is drivably connected tosaid screw element for rotation therewith, the arrangement being suchthat said screw element is operative to urge grain into said casing andsaid impeller is operative to throw that grain outwardly through saidlateral opening.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein fan meansare provided within the said inlet duct means and are operative to causeair to flow through said duct means toward said air inlet opening; anair intake duct section connected to the intake side of said fan meansand including a control valve which is operative to open and close saidduct section; a recirculating duct section extending between said intakeside of said fan means and said outlet duct means; and a recirculatingvalve provided for opening and closing communication between said outletduct means and said recirculating duct section.
 7. Apparatus accordingto claim 6, wherein humidifying means is proVided in said recirculatingduct section between said recirculating valve and said intake side ofthe fan means, and a controllable opening is provided in saidrecirculating duct section intermediate said recirculating valve andsaid humidifying means.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein airheating means is connected to said intake duct section.
 9. Apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein each said duct means is connectable withsaid end wall through a respective tubular sealing member which ismovable towards and away from said end wall and is arranged to engagesaid end wall to form a substantially fluid-tight seal around therespective said opening.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 1, whereinvane means are provided within said grain compartment and are arrangedto urge grain lengthwise in respect to said drum in response to rotationof said drum.